MONTREAL – Bombardier Aerospace has won a US$595 million order to deliver new aircraft to a subsidiary of Danish leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital that will lease the aircraft to Garuda Indonesia airlines.

The firm order for 12 CRJ1000 is valued at US$595 million at list prices.

Garuda is the first customer in the Asia-Pacific region for Bombardier’s latest 100-seat regional jet. It directly ordered six aircraft in February and has options for 18 more planes after considering competitor Embraer’s E-190.

The Jakarta-based airline founded in 1949 operates 92 commercial aircraft serving 31 domestic and 19 international destinations.

Nordic Aviation Capital is one of the world’s largest lessors of regional aircraft with more than 160 turboprop and jet aircraft serving more than 30 customers in 20 countries.

The order and another leasing company transaction on behalf of Air Norstrum in Spain “illustrate that these aircraft present attractive financing and leasing opportunities for airlines and investors,” stated Bombardier commercial aircraft president Mike Arcamone.

“The CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft’s superior economics, outstanding fuel economy and excellent passenger comfort ideally meet our requirement for 100- seat aircraft; and the acquisition of these 12 additional aircraft via Nordic Aviation Capital is integral to our network expansion from five regional hubs,” added Garuda CEO Emirsyah Satar.

Bombardier (TSX:BBD.B) has received 1,729 firm orders for its CRJ series aircraft, with 1,665 delivered as of March 31 to more than 60 airlines around the world. More than 30 customers also operate corporate variants.

Bombardier said on average a CRJ aircraft takes off every 10 seconds somewhere in the world.

Analysts expect a lull in regional aircraft orders won by Bombardier may be nearing an end after a slew of recent orders.

The Montreal-based manufacturer last year received orders for only four regional jets and seven Q400 turboprops.

Prior to Wednesday’s announcement, six customers including WestJet Airlines (TSX:WJA) have placed 43 firm orders and 57 options.

The Calgary-based carrier has ordered 20 turboprops to launch its regional service and has options for 25 more aircraft.

Orders have also come from Horizon Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurolot and RwandAir.

“The regional aircraft order outlook is shaping up better than expected,” Cameron Doerksen of National Bank Financial wrote in a recent report.

He foresees an order resurgence from U.S. airlines as the large American market is showing signs of life for the first time in years.

The company’s Brazilian rival Embraer has recently indicated that it is in talks with five carriers for as many as 500 new regional aircraft orders and Doerksen said Bombardier is likely speaking to the same airlines.

Among the potential buyers are Delta Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, American Airlines and US Airways.

Doerksen said he expects 53 regional aircraft deliveries in 2012 — 23 CRJs and 30 Q400s — down from 78 in 2011. Deliveries should rebound modestly to 65 in 2013, but could be higher if it wins any of the possible large-scale orders, he added.

The analyst also said he expects Bombardier to announce orders for the CSeries aircraft at next month’s Farnborough air show.

“More orders would be nice, but not necessary,” he wrote in a report on Wednesday. “We note that from an order point of view, the CSeries is ahead of Embraer’s E-Jet program at the same point in the program development.”

Bombardier reassured analysts on Tuesday that development of the new CSeries is on schedule for its first flight by year end and delivery by the end of 2013.

On the Toronto Stock Exchange, Bombardier shares lost three cents at C$4.02 in afternoon trading.

By: Ross Marowits, The Canadian Press

HOUSTON-  Houston Mayor Annise Parker announces new non-stop flights to Istanbul beginning April 1, 2013, operated by Turkish Airlines between George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport (IST).

“Houston’s strong business connections with Turkey created the opportunity to attract this foreign flag airline to our city,” said Mayor Parker. “Houston has become the gateway to the world. Our global business structure helps our economy thrive and our job market remains the envy of the nation.  These four new weekly flights will surely lead to increased economic opportunity for both Istanbul and Houston.”

Turkish Airlines will operate the new route with a Boeing 777-300ER, which seats up to 334 passengers. Based at Ataturk International Airport, Turkish Airlines serves more than 190 destinations and carries 33 million passengers.

The Turkish Consulate General in Houston and a number of Houston community organizations worked closely with the Houston Airport System to attract this new direct air service by Turkish Airlines, including the Texas Turkish American Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Houston Partnership and the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau. Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Zaglayan’s support was also instrumental in promoting the opportunity for this flight.

“The Istanbul direct flights operated by Turkish Airlines will be essential in our endeavors to further develop relations at all levels and fields in business, trade and investment relations between Turkey and Texas,” said Turkish Consul General Cemalettin Aydin.

The addition of this new international direct flight will provide a meaningful economic boost to the Greater Houston region. Turkey remains a fast growing and emerging business and leisure economy with a strong cultural link to Houston.

“The total Houston to Turkey trade value in 2011 was $3.6 billion,” said Celil Yaka, President of Texas Turkish American Chamber of Commerce. “We anticipate this trade will continue to grow significantly thanks to this new flight.”

“The Houston Airport System exists to connect people, businesses, cultures and economies of the world to Houston,” said Mario Diaz, Director of the Houston Airport System. “This flight will open up more convenient travel options to both Turkey and beyond points, in particular, those in South/Central Asia and Africa.”

Flight Schedule:

The new service will operate four days per week with flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

• Departure from Houston at 7:50 p.m. local time and arrival in Istanbul at 3:55 p.m. local time.
• Departure from Istanbul at 1:05 p.m. local time and arrival in Houston at 6:05 p.m. local time.

The flights are currently available in the Turkish Airlines reservation system at{##34##}http://www.turkishairlines.com.

Turkish Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, which is the dominant airline network at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston as the largest hub for the Star Alliance.

About Houston Airport System:

The Houston Airport System (HAS) served almost 50 million passengers in 2011. Houston’s three airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby (HOU) and Ellington Airport (EFD) contribute more than $27.5 billion to the regional economy. IAH is the 7th busiest airport in the nation.

About Turkish Airlines:

Established in 1933 with a fleet of only five airplanes, Star Alliance member, Turkish Airlines is today a four star airline with a fleet of 179 aircraft (passenger and cargo) flying to 190 cities around the world, comprised of 34 domestic and 156 international destinations. One of the fastest growing airline companies, Turkish Airlines has received several “Passengers Choice Awards” from the consumer ranking group, Skytrax. Based on 2011 results, Turkish Airlines has been chosen as the winner in 3 categories, “Best Airline Europe,” “Best Premium Economy Seats” for its Comfort Class seats and “Best Airline Southern Europe.” It has also received awards for its catering and holds a coveted 4-star designation, putting the airline in a small group of top quality carriers. Turkish Airlines was also given the Skytrax designation of “World’s Best Economy Class On-board Catering” in 2010, and Skyscanner’s “Best On-board Food 2011.” Long haul Business Class passengers also enjoy the Flying Chef service on-board.

SOURCE Houston Airport System

‘Al Dhabi’ Lounge was named a highly commended lounge at the Priority Pass Lounge of the Year 2012 award.

The award is based on over 40,000 ratings made by Priority Pass members, who are frequent flyers visiting airport lounges around the world on a regular basis.

Dan Cappell, Senior Vice President Commercial at ADAC, said: “Receiving this year’s Priority Pass Highly Commended Award is a great honour and demonstrates just one part of Abu Dhabi International Airport’s commitment to putting passenger experience at the forefront of its priorities. Through the hard work and efforts of the entire team at Abu Dhabi International Airport, the fully refurbished Al Dhabi Lounge offers innovative facilities matched by high comfort standards in a relaxing atmosphere of Arabian hospitality.”

Source : www.arabianaerospace.aero

United Airlines will not launch its planned nonstop flight between Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Auckland, New Zealand, in response to the local city council’s approval of a new international terminal at Houston Hobby Airport that is championed by Southwest Airlines.

The Chicago-based airline had planned to launch the once daily Auckland service with a 219-seat Boeing 787-8 in late 2012, subject to delivery of the aircraft. It would have been the airline’s second route on the aircraft after Intercontinental to Lagos, which was launched on a Boeing 777-200 in November 2011, is shifted to a 787 later this year.

United claimed the Intercontinental to Auckland route was only economically feasible with the 787.

The Houston city council approved the terminal project by a 16-1 margin yesterday, despite threats by United to cut capacity and jobs at Intercontinental. Dallas-based Southwest wants the facility so that it can launch new international service to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South America from Hobby.

By:   EDWARD RUSSELL

Read More : http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/hobby-decision-prompts-cuts-at-uniteds-houston-hub-372530/

Up to 30 of Spain’s 47 state-run airports could face partial closure in a bid to cut costs after it emerged that they are no-where near to full capacity.

Despite being such a popular tourism destination, the public sector has been criticised for investing in so many airports which are not being used, according to reports.

It is thought that 30 of the 47 airports handle fewer than 100,000 passengers per year – 300,000 fewer passengers than they need to be profitable.

Badajoz airport was among the worst performers with its last commercial flight reportedly taking off in January..
AENA, Spain’s airport association, is looking to reduce operating hours at 30 of the airports in a bid to cut costs without closing them altogether.

‘We are analysing each one, airport by airport, to find where we can make cost-cutting,’ said a spokesman from AENA.

Source : www.breakingtravelnews.com

The airport environment will be unrecognisable by 2025, but only if the industry shifts paradigm to create a “streamlined, stress free and holistic service”, a new report says.

And there’s a trade-off: Automated, customer-centric processes mean travellers will need to relinquish data and do more logistics.

As well as depositing and collecting luggage at self-bag drops – something which frequent fliers in Australian hubs are becoming familiar with under a new Qantas scheme – by 2025 passengers will be expected to self-load their bags in containers, or even direct to the aeroplane.

Read More : http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/25/uk-airport-2025-amadeus-idUSLNE84N02620120525

It is estimated that 500,000 people will be flying into London for the Olympics and Paralympics this summer.

This figures include  100,000 athletes, 20,000 members of the media and 150 heads of state. Most of them will arrive London via Heathrow.

Heatrow Airport   will be the start and finish line for the bulk of visitors, giving the country’s biggest airport its busiest day ever.

Heatrow is ready for Aug 13.

That day will be Monday 13 August, the day after the closing ceremony and the day 65% of visitors are planning to leave.

Some 200,000 bags will be squeezed on to the baggage system – that’s 35% more than on a normal day and about 13,000 more than it is designed to handle.

Of those bags, 15,000 will be oversized – full of canoes, javelins, bikes and poles for the pole vault. There will also be more than 980 firearms to check, plus ammunition.

Extra plane?

The Paralympics is a third of the size of the main event but it is still a huge challenge.

The Chinese team are arriving on 27 different planes and they’ll probably need an extra plane at the end to carry all their medals”

Heathrow will have to deal with a month’s worth of wheelchair users in just a week – about 1,800 in total.

Thirteen new scissor lifts and 100 new ramps have been deployed to load and unload wheelchairs while there are six new powered stair climbers to move large electric wheelchairs.

Two-hundred extra staff will welcome the Paralympians and help with the biggest challenge of all – making sure every athlete is reunited quickly with their chair.

Continue reading the main story

Airlineberg via By Richard Westcott,BBC

Southwest Airlines has agreed to invest USD$100 million to expand Houston’s William Hobby Airport as it looks to offer international flights to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Mayor of Houston Annise Parker detailed a deal with the carrier that requires Southwest to design and build five new gates and a customs facility at Hobby in line with city specifications.

In return for its investment, Dallas-based Southwest would have preferential scheduling rights and would pay no rent for its use of international gates or the customs facility, according to a statement from the City of Houston.

Southwest earlier this year asked Houston officials for permission to study construction of an international facility at Hobby, where it has operated since 1971.

The Hobby expansion, which requires Houston City Council approval, would likely take two years, with international flights likely to begin in 2015, Southwest said.

Southwest’s plans for Hobby have been opposed by United Continental, which released a report earlier this month saying international service at Hobby would drain passengers from George Bush Airport and lead to job losses. George Bush is the largest hub for United.

Source : www.reuters.com

The new 150,000 square foot terminal boasts the increased passenger output of up to 500 per hour with the capacity to service triple this amount if need be.
As the date of the largest football tournament EURO 2012 nears, Ukraine – the cohost of the event together with Poland – finalizes its preparations and finished a comprehensive overhaul of the Kyiv International Airport terminal Zhuliany. The new 150,000 square foot terminal boasts the increased passenger output of up to 500 per hour with the capacity to service triple this amount if need be.

Located 8 km from downtown Kyiv, Zhuliany International Airport is the second largest in the vicinity in addition to the country’s main gateway Boryspil International Airport. The new terminal is equipped with the latest and most advanced technology, according to the press service of the airport, that allows Ukrainian Border Guards to read biometric information contained in most passports.

Read More : http://www.airlinenewsresource.com/article63530Ukraine_Opens_Second_Airport_in_Kyiv.html